'SACKED FOR BEING WHITE'

FEELING LUCKY?

Producers blame more than 70 per cent of players using the internet to check their results for the switch to its catch-up service in January.

An insider revealed: “The draw just seemed pointless as everyone either plays online or goes on the internet to check their results.

“It’s sad as it brings to an end 22 years of TV history and there is still a hardcore group of fans out there that like to watch the balls drop before Casualty.”

The results of the draw will be shown on screen after the News on BBC1.

The move marks an end to the show's 22 year history

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The change will take place in January 2017

It follows the Beeb ditching the Wednesday night mid-week draw show in 2012 and the Beeb signing its contract with Lotto operator Camelot for another three years.

Sources last night said they are still looking for Saturday night quizzes to fill the slot and Nick Knowles’ Who Dares Wins, which currently has the Lotto draw on it, has just been recommissioned for another ten episodes.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “The BBC is committed to broadcasting the National Lottery with results on BBC One on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in a regular slot after the News as well as on the BBC iPlayer and online from January 2017.”